Which Sentence Has Correct Subject and Verb Agreement

As a professional, I am often tasked with ensuring that written content adheres to proper grammar rules, including subject-verb agreement. This fundamental principle governs the usage of verbs in relation to the subject of a sentence and is crucial in ensuring clear and effective communication. In this article, we will explore which sentence has the correct subject and verb agreement.

Subject-verb agreement dictates that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in terms of number. This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. Let`s take a look at an example:

Incorrect: The group of friends was playing in the park.

Correct: The group of friends were playing in the park.

In this example, the subject “group of friends” is treated as a singular noun in the first sentence, which leads to a disagreement with the verb “was.” The correct sentence uses a plural verb, “were,” to agree with the plural subject.

Let`s examine another example:

Incorrect: The number of people attending the event are increasing.

Correct: The number of people attending the event is increasing.

In this example, the subject “number” is a singular noun, and thus requires a singular verb, “is,” to agree with it. The incorrect sentence uses a plural verb, “are,” which creates a disagreement with the singular subject.

One more example:

Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students were interested in the topic.

Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students was interested in the topic.

In this example, the subject “neither the teacher nor the students” is treated as a singular subject, requiring the singular verb “was” to agree with it. The incorrect sentence uses a plural verb, “were,” to agree with the plural noun “students,” which causes a disagreement with the singular subject.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical rule that must be observed in written content. It ensures clear communication and enhances the readability of your work. By keeping in mind singular and plural subjects, as well as the appropriate verb tense, you can create sentences that are both grammatically correct and effective.